Did you ever try the conventional method of getting an apostille Good 2 Go Mobile Notary Plus? Imagine having to wait twice as long for paint to dry. A wonderful job in Spain was waiting for my friend Dave last year, and he required an apostille for his degree. He opted for the snail mail method. We’ll simply say he spent ten days straight drinking iced coffee and obsessively checking his mail. Not only may diplomats in fast cars use the faster lane, anyone can.
No bribes required; here’s how the pros cut days off the procedure. Acquire your paperwork first. Verify, verify, verify that the appropriate authorities have signed and stamped it. If you neglect to do this, the state office will return it at a rate that will make your head spin. Rita experienced precisely that. Twice. What did she advise her? Make sure you know which office handles the stamping by calling ahead. End of speculation.
Let us now discuss couriers. Prompt apostille providers are the ones who really pull the strings. They work fast, literally carrying your documents to the correct desk. The days of waiting for “processing times” are over; they eliminated all unnecessary bureaucracy. What is the value of a day of your time when the price is not dirt cheap? Furthermore, it is preferable than having to justify the delay of your birth certificate to a Spanish landlord.
Some states even let you stroll right in if you’re a DIY nut. Arrive before the doors open, with all the necessary paperwork in hand (coffee is welcome, but not required), because the early birds get the worm. In just 24 hours, you’ll be in and out, enjoying a glass of sangria. Glistening palms aside, it’s exciting.
Oh, and please don’t be cute and skip steps. People who deal with apostille have very sharp eyes. Is there a notary, a page, or the incorrect ink color missing? Starting all over again. Be very careful; if you don’t, you’ll end yourself right back where you started, maybe with less hair.
What distinguishes jet-lagged tourists from those who take selfies upon landing is this. The astute among us contact the apostille office first. I need to know which identification documents are required. Does anyone know when lunch is?” Avoid major hassles by asking these easy questions. Saving hours is as easy as making one phone call.
Never forget that preparation and quickness are the two ingredients in the secret sauce. A single well-planned morning, with all of your materials prepared and your expenses settled, will get you halfway there. An additional piece of advice: before turning over a certified document, scan it. An emergency backup plan is always a good idea.
Do away with the hassle of paperwork. Find the proper assistance or become fast friends with the clerk at your local post office. You can get the stamp you want quickly either way. While everyone else is still standing in line, you’ll have already won the race to international travel.